5 Best Irons for Smoothing Wrinkles Fast

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we dedicate a minimum of 10 hours to testing each iron. For our last test of 15 irons, we wrinkled, pressed, and graded 90 fabric swatches and conducted nearly 400 performance and ease-of-use evaluations, logging over 150 hours of testing.

When we test irons, we grade them in 14 categories, including the amount of steam they produce and at what rate. We measure the temperature of the soleplate at various settings and the temperature swings (highs and lows). We also check how hot the handle and body of the iron get for safety.

Keep these tips in mind, whether shopping for an iron in-store or online.

✔️ Size: It's important to choose an iron that is right-sized for you. If possible, make sure it is comfortable to lift and handle. Our picks range from 2 pounds to almost 5 pounds with most models weighing between 3 and 4 pounds. To cover more surface area in a single pass, choose an iron with a larger soleplate. If you plan on long ironing sessions, scope out a larger water tank that can go the distance, especially one that's transparent, so you can see how much water you have left.

✔️ Power: Generally, we've found that the best performing irons require 1700 to 1875 watts of power. Steam is your friend when tackling tough wrinkles and a more powerful iron with a stronger, longer stream of steam will press fabrics better (and faster).

✔️ Safety features: Most irons today automatically shut off when tipped. We prefer those that turn off quickly when landing in any direction, not just onto the soleplate. The CHI iron automatically shuts off in 60 seconds if it lands on either its side or the soleplate but stays on for 30 minutes if positioned on its heel, which quilters and sewers appreciate when going back and forth to the ironing board.

✔️ Ironing needs: Choose an iron with steam burst and spray features for zapping tough wrinkles if you iron a lot of cotton and linen fabrics. Vertical steam works well for drapes, bed skirts, and other home furnishings. Consider a steam station with a large water tank, vertical steam, and a sturdy base to hold the iron when not in use if you'll be quilting, sewing, or handling big batches of rumpled garments.

Heavy irons do put their weight into removing wrinkles, but they can also be cumbersome and tiresome to use and who wants that? Too lightweight and you'll end up exerting extra pressure and working harder to remove wrinkles. What's ideal is finding a model that you can easily lift and slide, is comfortable to hold, and produces great steam. Ultimately it's the combination of steam, heat, and weight that removes wrinkles best. Powerful irons that weigh between 3 and 4 pounds seem to be the sweet spot for best performance and ease of use.

Tap water is usually fine in your iron unless your home has very hard water, meaning it contains high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium. If so, mixing 50% tap water with 50% distilled water is a good option. It's not recommended, however, to use water that's gone through a whole home water softening system, as it's often softened by passing through salt. In that case, using distilled water is best so you won't end up with mineral deposits inside your iron.

An iron beats out a clothes steamer when it comes to producing perfectly crisp dress shirts and setting sharp pleats. Irons are also better at smoothing tablecloths, napkins, curtains, and any big swaths of fabric that are easier to smooth when laid flat on an ironing board than hung vertically to steam. Sewers and quilters prefer irons for pressing hems, seams, and pattern pieces that need flattening and smoothing during a project.

With proper handling, an iron can last for years. Make sure to keep the soleplate clean, empty the water tank after each use, and flush or self-clean the iron every few months to ensure the holes in the soleplate are open and clear. Poor maintenance can lead to a shorter lifespan, and many irons break when accidentally knocked over. To avoid this, be sure to use a sturdy ironing board so your iron stays stable even if you or your pet happen to bump into the board.

Carolyn Forté has tested dozens of steam irons and steamers in over 40 years of experience researching, testing, and writing about appliances like the best dryers, washers, and vacuums. As the former executive director of the Cleaning Lab, she oversaw Cleaning Lab testing conducted by GH reviews analysts, including the most recent tests of steam irons and steamers. She also produced or oversaw all the home care and cleaning tips and advice content appearing in the magazine and on the website.

Contributing writer Alice Garbarini Hurley has written about home, food, and style for more than 40 years for Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, Coastal Living, and other magazines. She still has the ironing board her friend's mother gave her as a bridal shower gift, and she loves the short story she first read in college called "I Stand Here Ironing," published by busy mother Tillie Olsen in 1956.